Monday, Nov 8, 2004, 6:25 am

video of voter intimidation in Ohio

Aaron Sarver is an independent audio producer and writer based in Chicago. His work has appeared in In These Times, The Chicago Reader, Alternet.org, and on Free Speech Radio News. For nearly three years he produced and co-hosted the radio program, Fire on the Prairie, which featured interviews with progressive writers and activists, and is archived at fireontheprairie.com.

More by Aaron Sarver

Can I just share the experience of people in the UK concerning elections?
Firstly, the local council has a legal duty to prepare a full electoral register every year. This is done by sending a form to every household to be filled in, with the warning that if it is not returned that household is effectively disfranchised.
Secondly, at election time every person on the electoral register is sent a polling card which they hand in when they go to vote. Possession of the card is sufficient proof of the right to vote.
Thirdly, no representative of any political party is allowed inside a polling station at any time. Any attempt to intimidate or threaten a voter is a criminal offence.
I know the system is not perfect, but it may be a little better than the video which I have just seen. In fact, it is very disturbing to think that the “greatest democracy in the world” may in fact be corrupted by unscrupulous members of either party.
I believe that there are moves being discussed to abolish the Electoral College and to decide the outcome of a Presidential Election by the total number of votes cast. That would be a good thing. Also, I do not understand why, since Americans are voting nationally for the President of the United States, there is not a uniform single national system for that election. Now that is something the Democrats could fight for before 2008 comes around!

-----Posted by Spud on 2004-11-08 15:54:05

Can I just share the experience of people in the UK concerning elections?

Firstly, the local council has a legal duty to prepare a full electoral register every year. This is done by sending a form to every household to be filled in, with the warning that if it is not returned that household is effectively disfranchised.

Secondly, at election time every person on the electoral register is sent a polling card which they hand in when they go to vote. Possession of the card is sufficient proof of the right to vote.

Thirdly, no representative of any political party is allowed inside a polling station at any time. Any attempt to intimidate or threaten a voter is a criminal offence.

I know the system is not perfect, but it may be a little better than the video which I have just seen. In fact, it is very disturbing to think that the “greatest democracy in the world” may in fact be corrupted by unscrupulous members of either party.

I believe that there are moves being discussed to abolish the Electoral College and to decide the outcome of a Presidential Election by the total number of votes cast. That would be a good thing. Also, I do not understand why, since Americans are voting nationally for the President of the United States, there is not a uniform single national system for that election. Now that is something the Democrats could fight for before 2008 comes around!

-----

Posted by Spud on 2004-11-08 15:54:05

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